With Apple's autumn launch event under a week away, the tech world's attention is firmly fixed on the company's first foldable handset, the Apple iPhone Ultra, a device that has finally materialized after years of anticipation.
According to the latest reports from US media, including Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the core hardware configuration of the iPhone Ultra is now essentially confirmed. The device is set to feature a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal foldable screen, which, when fully opened, offers a 4:3 aspect ratio—providing a viewing area that approaches the size of an iPad mini.
Under the hood, the phone will be powered by the next-generation A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process, and will be paired with a brand-new, upgraded self-developed modem from Apple. This should deliver a noticeably improved signal performance compared to previous iPhone generations. Gurman has also confirmed that the new model will retain MagSafe magnetic wireless charging.
However, for many Apple users, the answer regarding the screen crease may be disappointing. The first-generation foldable from Apple will still exhibit a visible crease; a completely flawless, crease-free display was not achievable. Reports indicate that the R&D team invested significant effort, making multiple attempts to eliminate the crease entirely, but ultimately fell short of a zero-crease goal. The production version's crease control is said to be on par with the current foldable phones from Samsung, and in some scenarios, it may even perform better.
Regarding the hinge structure and overall device durability, insiders reveal that Apple set a core research and development target for this foldable: to make its durability roughly equivalent to, or at least very close to, that of a standard bar-style iPhone. Durability is one of the areas where Apple has invested the most time and effort on this product.
On pricing, a compilation of multiple leaks suggests that the international starting price for the iPhone Ultra will exceed $2,000. The corresponding China-market version is expected to start at 14,999 yuan, directly hitting the current ceiling of consumer phone pricing. Commentary from relevant US media outlets suggests that, apart from serving as a status symbol, there is little practical reason for an average consumer to purchase this device. Users who buy the iPhone Ultra are likely driven more by personal preference and the desire to own it, rather than a pressing need to upgrade, positioning it, in some ways, as the ultimate status symbol crafted by Apple.